Lakers Look To Snap Grizzlies’ Eight-Game Win Streak

The Los Angeles Lakers (21-19, 17-23 ATS) host the Memphis Grizzlies (27-14, 26-15) at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday. The Lakers come into matchup having won their last four games while the Grizzlies are on an eight-game win streak of their own.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Despite the Grizzlies’ recent run of form, the Lakers opened as one-point favorites at home with the total set at 221 points. The OVER is 6-2 Los Angeles’ last eight games while the UNDER is 4-2 in Memphis’ last six. The Lakers are 5-1 ATS in their last six outings and the Grizzlies are 5-0 ATS in their last five road games.

Memphis News & Notes

The Grizzlies won again on Saturday, beating the Los Angeles Clippers 123-108. Marcus Morris Sr. led all scorers with 29 points for the Clippers, but the Grizzlies got plenty of scoring from Jaren Jackson Jr. (26 points), Desmond Bane (23 points), Tyus Jones (18 points), and Brandon Clarke (18 points), who also added 15 boards for a double-double.

Other than the Chicago Bulls, who own a nine-game win streak, the Grizzlies are the hottest team in the NBA with eight straight victories. Memphis boasts several impressive wins during the run as well, including victories over the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns, Brooklyn Nets, and Lakers.

Ja Morant (thigh) and Dillon Brooks (ankle) are questionable. Steven Adams, Yves Pons, John Konchar, Xavier Tillman, and Kyle Anderson (health and safety protocols) are all question marks for Sunday’s game as well.

Los Angeles News & Notes

The Lakers have been on a nice little run of their own too, winning their fourth straight game on Friday as they beat the Atlanta Hawks 134-118. LeBron James continued his red-hot run, dropping a game-high 32 points to go with nine assists and eight boards, while Malik Monk scored 29 points in the win.

James has been playing some of the best basketball we’ve seen from him in a while. From Christmas onwards, the King has averaged 34.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 6.9 assists. On top of that, his scoring pace of 28.7 points per game is his best mark since 2009-10 with the Cleveland Cavaliers – talk about turning back the clock! James’ excellent play has allowed the Lakers to stay afloat even without star center Anthony Davis, who is still recovering from a knee injury.

James (abdominal) has been listed as probable for 18 straight games, so it’s safe to say he should be on the floor Sunday.

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How Memphis Will Cover

Memphis is one of the hottest teams in the league right now and they’re coming up against a Los Angeles team that has been porous defensively, allowing 112.2 points per game (26th). With so much scoring depth throughout the lineup, the Grizzlies are tough to contain, and while the Lakers have been better as of late, it’s hard to bet against Memphis right now.

How Los Angeles Will Cover

James is arguably the best player in the league right now, posting 30-plus points in nine of his last 10 games dating to December 19. He scored 37 the last time the two teams met on December 29, but Monk only scored 15 points that night. Monk has been heating up since then, scoring 20-plus points in his last three games, including a season-high 29 last time out. If he and James can stay hot, they have a shot at ending Memphis’ lengthy run.

Computer Pick: Grizzlies +3

As NFL wraps up, you can turn your attention to the court and find all of the NBA predictions over at our NBA computer picks page.